Meanwhile, the doctor-patient ratio is dangerously low, according to SAMATU General Secretary Dr Cedric Sihlangu. He said that the current ratio is 0.31% percent of doctors per 1000 patients, far below the World Health Organisation's recommendation of one doctor for every one-thousand patients.

Dr Sihlangu blamed the government for not creating enough jobs for doctors in the public sector, where they are most needed. He said that this problem has been recurring for the past five years, and that the government always claims that there is no funding.

He added that the only options for the unemployed doctors are to either join the private sector, open a GP practice or go abroad.

--SABC--